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US EPA helps improve water infrastructure projects in Illinois

The funding of $485,000 will be used by the village to build a new pump station to connect to the DuPage Water Commission in order to purchase Lake Michigan drinking water.

Presently, Bartlett purchases around 60% of its drinking water from the city of Elgin, but now has decided to purchase all of its drinking water from DuPage County.

EPA administrator Scott Pruitt said: “President Trump has made updating our nation’s infrastructure a top priority, and this grant demonstrates EPA’s commitment to carrying out improvements.

“These types of investments help grow the economy while solving real environmental problems in local communities.”

EPA made the grant available to the village through annual appropriations process, a process through which the agency is occasionally directed to provide funding to specific entities for particular study, purpose or activity.

In this case, the funding was designated in 2009 for projects to improve drinking water infrastructure.

Bartlett Village president Kevin Wallace said: “The DuPage Water Commission has provided its members with a reliable water supply for many years.

“This is a huge and much anticipated infrastructure improvement for the Village of Bartlett, and we look forward to being commission members and soon being able to deliver high quality, softened Lake Michigan water to all of our residents.”

Recently, EPA had awarded $2.1m for the protection and restoration of wetlands and streams in California.

According to the agency, supporting aquatic resources can improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, flood protection and can offer recreational opportunities.

The agency had decided to provide funding in Napa River in Napa County, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, California State Coastal Conservancy and in Sonoma County.